BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol levels among centenarians in Australia, and to compare the relationship between these biological parameters with cognitive and functional status. METHODS: We performed BP (n = 142) and cholesterol (n = 67) measurements using the Omron automated sphygmomanometer (Omron Healthcare, Melbourne, Australia) and the LDX Cholestech Analyzer (Inverness Medical, San Diego, CA), respectively. A medical history was also obtained. Cognitive and functional statuses were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL), respectively. RESULTS: Average age of participants was 101.1 years. Hypertension was demonstrated in 1% according to the WHO criterion (≥140/90 mm Hg). However, 38% of centenarians were hypertensive, defined as having a medical diagnosis of hypertension, and/or being on antihypertensive medications, and/or having a BP measurement ≥ 140/90 mm Hg. Mean values were: systolic = 130 mm Hg (90-182 mm Hg), diastolic = 70 mm Hg (44-98 mm Hg), and pulse pressure (PP) = 60 mm Hg (20-130 mm Hg). Hypercholesterolaemia was only detected in 8% of participants. Hypertension was not associated with increased risk of hypercholesterolaemia. Low systolic BP (SBP) and narrower PP was associated with lower MMSE scores. High SBP and wider PP was associated with better functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Centenarians have a very low prevalence of high BP and high cholesterol compared with the general population. There seems to be an inverse relationship between the risk factors for cardiovascular disease vs. the risk factors for dementia in our sample. There appears to be a complex interaction between BP and health in old age.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol levels among centenarians in Australia, and to compare the relationship between these biological parameters with cognitive and functional status. METHODS: We performed BP (n = 142) and cholesterol (n = 67) measurements using the Omron automated sphygmomanometer (Omron Healthcare, Melbourne, Australia) and the LDX Cholestech Analyzer (Inverness Medical, San Diego, CA), respectively. A medical history was also obtained. Cognitive and functional statuses were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL), respectively. RESULTS: Average age of participants was 101.1 years. Hypertension was demonstrated in 1% according to the WHO criterion (≥140/90 mm Hg). However, 38% of centenarians were hypertensive, defined as having a medical diagnosis of hypertension, and/or being on antihypertensive medications, and/or having a BP measurement ≥ 140/90 mm Hg. Mean values were: systolic = 130 mm Hg (90-182 mm Hg), diastolic = 70 mm Hg (44-98 mm Hg), and pulse pressure (PP) = 60 mm Hg (20-130 mm Hg). Hypercholesterolaemia was only detected in 8% of participants. Hypertension was not associated with increased risk of hypercholesterolaemia. Low systolic BP (SBP) and narrower PP was associated with lower MMSE scores. High SBP and wider PP was associated with better functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Centenarians have a very low prevalence of high BP and high cholesterol compared with the general population. There seems to be an inverse relationship between the risk factors for cardiovascular disease vs. the risk factors for dementia in our sample. There appears to be a complex interaction between BP and health in old age.
Authors: María M Corrada; Kathleen M Hayden; Annlia Paganini-Hill; Szofia S Bullain; Jaime DeMoss; Colette Aguirre; Ron Brookmeyer; Claudia H Kawas Journal: Alzheimers Dement Date: 2017-01-17 Impact factor: 21.566
Authors: Costantino Iadecola; Kristine Yaffe; José Biller; Lisa C Bratzke; Frank M Faraci; Philip B Gorelick; Martha Gulati; Hooman Kamel; David S Knopman; Lenore J Launer; Jane S Saczynski; Sudha Seshadri; Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri Journal: Hypertension Date: 2016-10-10 Impact factor: 10.190
Authors: Cristina Gussago; Beatrice Arosio; Franca Rosa Guerini; Evelyn Ferri; Andrea Saul Costa; Martina Casati; Elisa Mariadele Bollini; Francesco Ronchetti; Elena Colombo; Giuseppina Bernardelli; Mario Clerici; Daniela Mari Journal: Endocrine Date: 2016-03-08 Impact factor: 3.633